Children Act 2004

The Children Act 2004  provides a legislative spine for the wider strategy for improving children's lives. This covers the universal services which every child accesses, and more targeted services for those with additional needs.

The overall aim is to encourage integrated planning, commissioning and delivery of services as well as improve multi-disciplinary working, remove duplication, increase accountability and improve the coordination of individual and joint inspections in Local Authorities. The legislation is enabling rather than prescriptive and provides Local Authorities with a considerable amount of flexibility in the way they implement its provisions.

The Children Act 2004 places a duty on Local Authorities to promote the educational achievement of Looked After Children.

For further information on the Children Act 2004, see the  legislation.gov.uk website.